Carpenter&#39;s tool



Aug, 24, 19370 GARDH-AM 2,090,835

CARPENTERS TOOL Filed May 25, 1936 INVENTOR GEORGE A. GARDHAM BYWATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNITED STATES PATE'E' @Flfi Claims.

The invention relates to carpenters tools and has more particularreference to an instrument designed for use in the laying out of roofingrafters and other angling members. It is the 5 object of the inventionto obtain a construction which can be used by any workman withoutrequiring mathematical knowledge and which will enable him to accuratelylay out angling members, as for instance, rafters, for a given pitch ofroof. To this end, the invention consists in the construction ashereinafter set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation of a tool;

Figure 2 is an end elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the tool as set formarking a particular angle;

Figure 4 is a View similar to a portion of Figure 3 showing theadjustment for different depths w of plate engaging notches.

In the construction of roofs, it is usual to designate them asone-quarter pitch, one-third pitch, one-half pitch, etc. This requiresof the Workman laying out the rafters some knowledge of geometry inorder to obtain the desired result with accuracy. However, after themembers are properly marked any carpenter would be able to cut them andperform the other necessary operations for building the roof. My im- 30proved instrument can be easily set by any workman and with its aid hewill be enabled to accurately mark the members for cutting.

In general construction, the instrument comprises a parallelogram framehaving longitudinally extending members A and B and transverselyextending end members C and D. These are connected to each other bypivots E which are accurately positioned to form a true parallelogram.The member A is provided with an angle flange A at its outer edge, bymeans of which it may be set parallel with the edge of the member to bemarked. In its central portion the member A has a segmental enlargementA which overlaps the member B and is provided with a segmental slot A Fis a plate member which is pivotally connected at G to the member A andis also connected to the member B by a pivot pin H which passes throughthe slot A and has a threaded portion for engaging a 50 clamping wingednut I. The pivots G and H are in alignment with the pivots E in themembers A and B and area also parallel to these pivots in the members Cand D. There are also a series of lined markings J on the plate E which55 are adapted to register with an index point K on the segmentalenlargement A Thus this plate forms in effect a protractor by means ofwhich the members C and D may be set at different angles to the membersA and B, these being designated by suitable markings, such as squareone-eighth, one-fourth, one-third, onehalf, two-thirds, three-fourthspitch. The plate F is also fashioned to form a square having one side Fparallel to the members C and D, and the other side F parallel to themembers A and B. There is further provision for longitudinal adjustmentof the plate F with respect to the pivots G and H, this comprising slotsK and L in said plate. The pivots G and 1-1 have countersunk heads, suchas H, for engaging beveled edges of the slots and avoiding anyprojection which would interfere with the laying of the instrument flatupon the timber to be marked. The flange A is slotted at A to permit ofadjusting the plate F therethrough.

In use, if the workman desires to lay out roof rafters for a givenpitch, such for instance as one-third, he loosens the clamping nut I andadjusts the parallelogram frame until the index point K lies upon theline J designated as onethird. The nut is then tightened to hold theparts from further movement. The instrument is then placed upon the wideside of the rafter with the flange A engaging the narrow side thereof.The transverse side C then forms a rule for marking the angle to whichthe ends of the rafters must be cut, while the side D may be used formarking the angle at the ridge end of the rafter. It is also customaryto form a notch in the underside of the rafter for engagement of thesame with the plate at the top of the side Wall of the building. Thisnotch may be laid out by the square formed on the plate F and anydesired depth of notch may be obtained by adjustment of the plate F withrespect to the pivots G and H. Thus the workman may successively markthe rafters without change of adjustment of the tool.

Where timber is to be cut to form the hip of the roof, it may be firstmarked on the side, as previously described, and then marked on the edgeto obtain the desired bevel. It is obvious that there will be many otheruses for which this tool is adapted.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A carpenters tool comprising a parallelogram frame with pivotallyconnected sides and having one of the longitudinally extending sidesthereof flanged for engagement with the edge of the timber to be marked,the transversely extending sides constituting rules for marking oppositeends of said timber, and a protractor for setting said frame with therules thereof at the desired angle.

2. A carpenters tool comprising a parallelogram frame with pivotallyconnected sides and having one of the longitudinally extending sidesthereof flanged for engagement with the edge of the timber to be marked,the transversely extending sides constituting rules for marking oppositeends of said timber and a centrally arranged protractor for setting saidframe with the rules thereof at the desired angle.

3. A carpenters tool comprising a parallelogram frame having one of thelongitudinally extending sides thereof flanged for engagement with theedge of the timber to be marked, the transversely extending sidesconstituting rules for marking opposite ends of said timber, aprojection from the central portion of one of the longitudinal sidesoverlapping the other longitudinal side and provided With a segmentalslot, a plate pivotally connected to said first mentioned side, a pinpivotally connecting said plate to said second side and passing throughsaid segmental slot to permit of angular adjustment, said plate beingprovided with protractor markings for cooperation with an index point onsaid segmental projection, and a clamping nut engaging a threadedportion of said pin to secure said parallelogram frame in any positionof adjustment.

4. A carpenters tool comprising a parallelogram frame having one of thelongitudinally extending sides thereof flanged for engagement with theedge of the timber to be marked, the transversely extending sidesconstituting rules for marking opposite ends of the timber, a protractorarranged centrally of said parallelogram frame including a plate havingmarkings thereon, said plate also having a portion forming a square forthe marking of a notch parallel to the sides of said parallelogramframe.

5. A carpenters tool comprising a parallelogram frame having one of thelongitudinally extending sides thereof flanged for engagement with theedge of the timber to be marked, the transversely extending sidesconstituting rules for marking opposite ends of the timber, a protractor plate arranged centrally of said parallelogram frame andpivotally attached to the longitudinal sides thereof, one of saidlongitudinal sides having a projection overlapping the otherlongitudinal side and provided with a segmental slot for the passage ofthe pivot connecting said plate with the latter side, said plate havinga portion thereof forming a square with its sides parallel to the sidesof the parallelogram frame, and means permitting adjustment of saidplate with respect to said longitudinal sides parallel to saidtransverse sides.

GEORGE A. GARDHAMl

